Saxifraga.] XXXII. SAXIFRAGACE^. 165 



XXXII. SAXIFRAGACEJS. THE SAXIFRAGE FAMILY. 



Herbs, or, in exotic genera, trees or shrubs, with alternate or 

 opposite leaves, and no stipules. Calyx free, or more or less 

 adherent to the ovary, with 4 or 5 (rarely more) lobes or seg- 

 ments. Petals as many, perigynous or none. Stamens as 

 many, or twice as many (rarely more), perigynous. Ovary 

 either adherent or inserted on a broad base, either 2- or 

 4-celled, or 1 -celled, with 2 or more parietal placentas, often 

 lobed at the top, with as many (rarely twice as many) styles or 

 stigmas as cells or placentas. Fruit a capsule. Seeds several, 

 usually many, to each cell or placenta ; the albumen usually 

 copious, rarely none. 



An extensive family, ranging over nearly the whole world, and in- 

 cluding many shrubs and trees, such as the Hydrangeas, Escallonias, 

 Philadeljphuses (Syringas), Deutzias, &c, of our gardens, of which the 

 British herbaceous genera can give very little idea. The characters of 

 the Order are moreover somewhat complicated, there being several 

 exceptions among exotic genera, besides those alluded to in the above 

 general character. The three British genera differ from each other in 

 many essential points, but are all distinguished from Rosacea by the 

 definite stamens and want of stipules, from them and from Crassulacece 

 by the carpels united into a single ovary, and from Lythrariece by the 

 distinct styles and the more adherent ovary. 



Petals none 2. Chrysosplenium. 



Petals 5. 



Stamens 10, all bearing anthers. Styles 2 . . . .1. Saxieraga. 



Stamens 5, bearing anthers; 5 barren, with a tuft of 



globular-headed filaments. Stigmas 4 ... 3. Parnassia. 



I. SAXIFRAGA. SAXIFEAGE. 



Herbs, either annual or more commonly with a perennial tufted stock, 

 with radical or alternate or rarely opposite leaves, no stipules, and ter- 

 minal flowers either solitary or in cymes or panicles. Calyx free, or 

 more or less adherent at the base, with 5 teeth or segments. Petals 5. 

 Stamens 10, inserted with the petals at the base of the segments of the 

 calyx. Ovary 2-celled, superior or more or less inferior, with 2 distinct 

 styles. Seeds several in each cell, with a small embryo in a fleshy 

 albumen. 



A numerous genus, consisting chiefly of mountain or rock plants, 

 abundant in all the great mountain -chains of the northern hemisphere, 

 some ascending to the highest Alpine or most Arctic regions, others 

 extend from the northern Andes to Tierra del Fuego, whilst still others 

 inhabit the hot limestone rocks of the Mediterranean region. 

 Leaves all opposite and small. Low spreading plant. Flowers 



purple 1. S. oppositifolia. 



Leaves alternate or radical. 



Flowers yellow. 

 Calyx spreading, adherent at the base. Stem bearing several 



flowers 2. S. aizoides. 



Calyx reflexed, free. Stems 1 flowered 3. S. Hircidus. 



Flowers white or pink. 



